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I frequently write about key steps professionals can take to turn their careers and working lives around. But I hear from so many people each month who only vaguely understand what “amazing” could look like in action for them, specifically.

To remedy that, I’d like to offer a concrete case study example of a mid-career woman who went from unhappy and unfulfilled in her accounting career, to amazing success in a new direction, in just five short years.Beth Bryce, a former client of mine, moved from an unhappy senior accounting position to Director of Career Services at Northwood University, and a supremely happy career strategist, author and founder of Girls2Women Coaching -- a career coaching firm for students and women.

Beth shares her personal story of inertia to breakthrough:

“Like many of us at some point during our lives, I found myself stuck in quicksand in a dead-end job. I was sinking, couldn’t pull myself out and I had no idea why.The truth was I had a successful and lucrative twenty year career in financial management working for Fortune 500 companies.Five years ago I hit a wall and came to the realization that numbers weren’t fulfilling me.Rather, I wanted to get into the business of helping people succeed so I started a career coaching company with the hopes of being able to leave the corporate world behind forever. For three years I tinkered with my coaching company.During the day I toiled through spreadsheets with grueling deadlines dreaming about leaving my corporate job, and in the evenings and weekends, I coached clients through their own career transitions.

Three years is a long time to stay somewhere you don’t want to be.Three years of trying to build a business so I could financially support myself and walk away from my six-figure job.Those negative voices started getting louder in my head, “You can’t leave accounting! Are you crazy?”But I wasn’t about to give up my dream.I knew I needed a mentor to guide me.That same day I received a LinkedIn invitation to a coaching program with Kathy Caprino on marketing your business, and I acted on it.

Kathy and I started working together during the blizzard of 2011.While the snow and wind howled outside, we were able to brainstorm on the phone.In a matter of a few weeks, I got laser focused on my niche, helping students and women with their careers.From there I took her career assessment then we worked on my branding statement and marketing strategy.It became all so clear, who I served and how I was going to do it by collaborating, speaking and writing.Together we overcame three years of spinning my wheels in five hours’ time.

During the next two years, I worked hard putting myself out there towards my dream.I networked continuously, created new partnerships, began delivering leadership training programs to young women, and told everyone I knew about what I wanted.I attended many personal development seminars and classes (largely inexpensive) including grant writing, social media, personal branding, board development, experiential learning, and also became a certified motivational career coach. I joined industry organizations for top resources, tools and connections in my field, and surrounded myself with groups of like-minded people that were cheerleaders, challengers and mentors, but most important, very supportive of my dreams.

One day, after delivering a leadership seminar at Northwood University (my alma mater), I was approached to discuss a full-time job they had open in Career Services.They didn’t have the salary I needed, so I offered to work on a contract basis for three months, and found that I truly loved it.I didn’t stop there, though – I interviewed at other firms too and was offered a job as leadership coach for a telecommunications firm.The salary was much higher at the second job, but I really wanted the university position.When I got the higher offer, I went back and negotiated a better salary at the university, and was finally awarded the position I wanted at the salary I needed.

From then, everything I envisioned came true.It didn’t just magically happen though; I worked incredibly hard following the action steps I learned were important.I redesigned my website, collaborated with community partners, began to motivational speak and write for magazines, blogs and co-authored my own book.My clients increased as well as my reputation and exposure.My confidence soared.

Finally I am living what I believe is my true purpose using my talents to make a positive difference in the lives of people I respect and admire.I’m able to pay it forward too, with my students, alumni and clients and helping others get “unstuck.” But I’m also looking forward to the next chapter that I know will be exciting in its own way."

* * * * *

To my mind, Beth’s story is an ideal example of what’s possible when you have a dream that won’t quit, and when you commit to doing something every single day that moves you forward toward that vision. Here’s what Beth did:

Put her stake in the ground declaring what she wanted to do, and for whom

Told everyone she knew what she wanted, and asked for help when she needed it

Worked hard on honing her “chops” and expertise, as well as gaining supporters and mentors

Developed and delivered new services and training, being helpful in the way she wanted BEFORE the professional identity she longed for kick in

Didn’t overly attach to the outcome – was very open to whatever came her way

Negotiated hard for what she knew she deserved

Remains open to learning and looking for new ways to grow and stretch

These are the hallmarks of an individual who dreams BIG but has the courage and commitment to bring that vision into being. Beth even changed her last name so it was easier for people to spell, say and find.Now that’s true commitment.

As Beth says, it’s not magic – it’s very hard work.But when you feel you’re going in the right direction doing what you’re meant to, it doesn’t feel like work at all. You absolutely know it when you’ve landed on the right path.

Hello! I'm a career and leadership coach, writer, speaker, and trainer dedicated to the advancement of women in business. My career coaching firm—Kathy Caprino, LLC—offe

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Hello! I'm a career and leadership coach, writer, speaker, and trainer dedicated to the advancement of women in business. My career coaching firm—Kathy Caprino, LLC—offers a wide array of programs, training, assessments, videos, and courses that help women "dig deep, discover their right work, and illuminate the world with it." My key mission is to support a "Finding Brave" movement that helps professionals globally achieve their highest and most thrilling potential.

Along with contributing to Forbes.com, I write on Thrive Global, LinkedIn, and my own blog at kathycaprino.com/blog and am a frequent media source on careers and women's issues. My 1st book Breakdown, Breakthrough and my TEDx talk "Time To Brave Up" share critical ways to stand up and speak up for yourself and transform your life.